Annie Crow Knoll: Sunset Book Review

Title: Annie Crow Knoll: Sunset

About the Book:

Return to Annie Crow Knoll. . . a place where people come to restore their spirits, heal their pain and reclaim their lives.

Nate Bidwell blamed his mother Annie for his parents’ divorce. Buried hurts and resentments between mother and son make Nate reluctant to risk his heart when his childhood friend Beth Ann offers him her own. Instead, he allows himself to fall in love with the fragile and dependent June, and Annie’s opposition to their marriage reignites years of unresolved conflict with her only child. Nate swears that he will never return to Annie Crow Knoll, his family home on the Chesapeake Bay. Instead, he opens his dream restaurant in Manhattan and tirelessly works to build his career as a chef.

When near-tragedy strikes their lives, though, Nate is forced to return to the one place he hopes may save his wife: Annie Crow Knoll. There, surrounded by the love and support of his mother, their friend Packard and Beth Ann, Nate and June face their doubts and fears about themselves, their marriage and their future. In the beauty of this Chesapeake community, they find hope and healing.

My Review:

I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in the Annie Crow Knoll series, Annie Crow Knoll: Sunrise. (check out my review). The second book, Annie Crow Knoll: Sunset, has many of the same comforting qualities of its predecessor. The calm and tranquility of the Chesapeake Bay and the camaraderie of a simpler time still appeal.

The second story focuses more on Annie’s son, Nate. Honestly, by the middle of the story I was angry with Nate and his treatment of the women in his life. But by the end of the book, Nate learns some lessons about himself, his mother, his wife and his best friend that serve to strengthen him as a man, son, husband and friend.

One of my favorite quotes from the book is Annie’s description of the mother-child relationship. As my children are both young adults now, I could very much identify with this quote.

It seems like children want their mother to give up her life entirely for them. Then when children grow up, they want her to leave them alone. Which leaves the mother with what? Nothing, because she puts everything into the children. But if the mother actually chooses to have a life, the children resent not being the center of it. It’s a no-win proposition.

Another quote from the book reminded me of my marriage. When Art and I were first married, I was a very shy, timid person. But, especially since I became the breadwinner and started blogging, I have grown into the woman I was meant to be. Here’s the quote from the book:

You really don’t need me anymore, do you?

No….But I want you.

If I have a complaint about Annie Crow Knoll: Sunset, it would be my same complaint as that of the first book. The point of view shifts frequently and it can be difficult to keep in mind which character is forefront at any given time.

That being said, I love this book as much as the first and recommend it for those who enjoy love stories and coming of age.

I give Annie Crow Knoll: Sunset 4 1/2 crows. It’s not typical, but it is refreshing.

Purchase now at

And don’t miss the beginning of Annie’s story in

Annie Crow Knoll: Sunrise

Gail Priest lives in New Jersey and summers in Maryland on the Chesapeake Bay with her husband and their cockatiel. In addition to writing novels, plays and screenplays, she loves theater, reading, birding and being out in nature.